Due to leading over eight hundred new recruits on foot and encountering two rainstorms during the height of summer, Wei Rao’s party took a full half-month to return to the capital.
Despite the hardships of bumpy carriage rides and frantic efforts to avoid the rain, the long delay allowed Lu Zhuo’s injuries to nearly heal. Fortunately, the two arrows he had taken had not damaged his bones or tendons, and he had brought high-quality medicine, applying it three times daily at fixed intervals. By the time they entered the capital, Lu Zhuo was riding on horseback, his face as fair as jade, drawing crowds of onlookers among the common folk.
All in all, Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo had been away from the capital for three full months.
As soon as the couple returned to the Duke of Yingguo’s Manor, they were warmly welcomed by the household.
The Duchess of Yingguo first scrutinized the young couple’s expressions, but both were skilled at maintaining appearances. She could not discern whether there had been any promising progress in their relationship during the three-month separation.
He Shi, Lu Zhuo’s mother, stole several glances at Wei Rao’s stomach—flat as ever, though it might still be too early to tell?
Lu Zhuo was summoned by the Duke of Yingguo for questioning, while He Shi, under the pretext of caring for her daughter-in-law, took Wei Rao’s hand and insisted on escorting her back to the Hall of Pine and Moon to rest.
On the way, she had the maids follow at a distance and cheerfully shared some good news with Wei Rao: "Your Fourth Aunt is pregnant. It was confirmed at the beginning of the month. The Old Madam was so delighted she gave all the servants double their monthly allowance."
Wei Rao was on good terms with Fourth Madam—in fact, she had even played a part in bringing Fourth Madam and Fourth Master together. Hearing this news genuinely pleased her. No wonder Fourth Madam had seemed somewhat bashful during their brief encounter in the Hall earlier.
While Wei Rao was still reminiscing about her brief meeting with Fourth Madam, He Shi quietly posed a question: "How have you been, Rao Rao? Have you felt nauseous in the mornings lately?"
Wei Rao caught her meaning and replied awkwardly, "No... Mother, the moment the heir arrived in Jincheng, he went to recruit soldiers, followed by training the new recruits. Excluding the travel time, we only spent five or six nights together in Jincheng. He stayed at the military camp while training the new troops."
He Shi’s expression shifted dramatically—first shock, then more shock!
Was her son so enamored with training new recruits? How could he bear to leave such a delicate and beautiful wife alone in Jincheng?
He Shi was utterly exasperated with her son but still had to comfort her daughter-in-law: "You’ve suffered, Rao Rao. Shoucheng was sent to the military camp from a young age and has grown accustomed to prioritizing military orders above all else. Since the Duke ordered him to recruit soldiers, he dared not let himself be distracted. Now that you’re back, it’s all good. You’ll be together every day from now on."
Wei Rao smiled bashfully.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhuo reported to the Duke of Yingguo about the new recruits. He concealed the matter of the assassins, deciding to investigate it himself to avoid worrying the old master.
As soon as he stepped out, he was summoned by the Duchess of Yingguo.
The Duchess got straight to the point, asking directly, "After spending three months together, have you made any progress with Rao Rao?"
Lu Zhuo thought for a moment, then lowered his gaze and said, "I suppose there has been some progress. Your grandson genuinely wishes to be a proper husband to her."
The Duchess raised an eyebrow. "What use is your sincerity? Is Rao Rao willing to marry you wholeheartedly?"
Lu Zhuo’s expression turned awkward.
The Duchess understood everything without another word.Listening to her grandson's words, the so-called progress meant he truly wanted to marry now—implying that before departing for Jincheng, he hadn't been very keen? With such an attitude, how well could he treat Wei Rao? Wei Rao wasn't the type to happily throw herself into her grandson's arms just because he showed a little kindness after bullying her. Not just Wei Rao, even the Duchess of Yingguo herself in her youth, though not as stunningly beautiful as Wei Rao—beautiful enough to look down on men—wouldn't easily accept someone who had repeatedly mistreated her.
"Since you sincerely want to marry, then find a way to win Rao Rao back. I'm old and can't be bothered to meddle anymore."
"Yes, Grandson knows what to do."
After spending a day at the Divine Martial Army camp to hand over duties, Lu Zhuo accompanied Wei Rao to the Cheng'an Marquis Manor to visit Old Mrs. Wei.
As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the Cheng'an Marquis Manor, an elderly physician emerged with a young apprentice carrying a medicine chest.
Wei Rao's heart tightened. Bitao had already rushed over to ask the physician who in the manor had fallen ill.
The old physician glanced at Wei Rao and sighed, saying something quietly to Bitao.
From the physician's expression, Wei Rao guessed the patient was her grandmother. She abandoned Lu Zhuo and ran toward the Hall of Verdant Spring.
In the Hall of Verdant Spring, Old Mrs. Wei had been bedridden for three to five days. Her health had never been robust, especially her legs—they ached during cloudy or rainy summer days and throbbed in the freezing cold of autumn and winter. A single ailment affected her entire body, leaving her with various minor illnesses. Otherwise, why would she appear so much older than Shou An Jun?
This episode had struck suddenly. When Old Mrs. Wei got up in the morning, a sharp pain shot through her knees as soon as she stood, forcing her back to bed. In the height of summer, she needed two quilts to wrap her legs, feeling cold below and hot above. Illness had ruined her appetite, and she was visibly wasting away.
Such an illness wouldn't immediately claim Old Mrs. Wei's life, but living meant suffering. Moreover, at her age, tormented by pain, it was uncertain when she might succumb.
In front of Lu Zhuo and Wei Rao, Guo Shi, Wei Rao's eldest aunt, wiped her tears and spoke between sobs.
Wei Rao sat at her grandmother's bedside, holding her frail, bony hand, tears streaming down her face.
Old Mrs. Wei chided her with a weak smile, "Why cry? My legs have always been like this—you know that. They just worsened after the recent rain. Once we have a few sunny days, I'll be up and walking again."
Wei Rao didn't believe it. She trusted her own eyes: when she left for Jincheng with Lu Zhuo, her grandmother had been in good spirits. Now, how haggard she looked!
Wei Rao had lost her father in childhood and rarely saw her mother after she entered the palace. It was her grandmother and maternal grandmother who gave her love surpassing that of parents. Whenever either elder fell ill, Wei Rao felt more distressed than if her own parents were sick.
Wei Rao asked Lu Zhuo to return to the Duke's Manor first, as she intended to stay at the Cheng'an Marquis Manor for several more days to care for her grandmother at her bedside.
Lu Zhuo understood the deep bond between Wei Rao and Old Mrs. Wei. She had even hidden the fact of their false marriage from her grandmother, preferring to bear her grievances alone rather than complain before her dearest elder—all out of filial devotion.
Lu Zhuo returned alone to the Duke of Yingguo's Manor and informed his elders about Old Mrs. Wei's illness.
The Duchess of Yingguo then came with He Shi to visit Old Mrs. Wei.
Every day after returning from the military camp, Lu Zhuo would also come to pay his respects to Old Mrs. Wei.Old Mrs. Wei felt both joy and guilt. After all, her granddaughter was married now, and a married woman must prioritize her husband's family. Even if a daughter-in-law returned to care for her own mother, it would invite gossip. No one would praise such a daughter-in-law for being filial; instead, they would accuse her of favoring her natal family and neglecting her marital duties.
A virtuous wife is what every family seeks. Before marriage, a girl's filial piety toward her elders is considered virtuous; after marriage, her devotion to her husband's family is likewise virtuous. But abandoning her husband and mother-in-law to care for her natal relatives is seen as lacking virtue, and no family would be pleased to have such a daughter-in-law.
"Go back, hurry back. You mustn't take advantage of the Old Madam's indulgence and forget propriety," Old Mrs. Wei repeatedly urged Wei Rao.
Wei Rao was reluctant to leave.
Her chief maid, Emerald, knelt down, her eyes red, and pleaded, "If you truly care for the old lady, you should return soon. Your staying only worries her further and prevents her from resting properly."
Knowing how stubborn her grandmother could be, Wei Rao had no choice but to return to the Duke of Yingguo's Manor with Lu Zhuo that evening when he came to visit the sick.
Yet she couldn't set her mind at ease about her grandmother. She had long stopped caring about virtue or its lack. According to the physician, her grandmother could pass away at any moment. She would rather forsake a reputation for virtue to spend more time with her.
Each month, Wei Rao would stay at the Cheng'an Marquis's residence for a few days—once at the beginning and once in the middle.
The Duchess of Yingguo did not restrict her. When guests visited the Duke's Manor and deliberately inquired about the whereabouts of the young mistress in her presence, the Duchess would instead praise Wei Rao's filial devotion. If the guests were tactful, they would drop the matter; if they tried to stir trouble, the Duchess would feign illness and have them escorted out.
No one dared to gossip about it in front of Lu Zhuo. On the contrary, he often visited Old Mrs. Wei, earning widespread praise among the common folk. Strangely enough, the same situation sparked divided opinions in the streets and alleys: some criticized Wei Rao for prioritizing her natal family, while others commended Lu Zhuo for doting on his wife and respecting her grandmother.
As the height of summer passed and cool autumn arrived, Old Mrs. Wei's condition showed no improvement. The frail, tiny old lady lay beneath the blankets, barely visible unless one approached closely.
Wei Rao's heart ached, but Guo Shi was growing increasingly anxious to secure a marriage for her daughter, Wei Chan. If they didn't act quickly and Old Mrs. Wei passed away, her daughter's marriage prospects would be delayed. Unlike Sixth Miss Xie, who was renowned as the capital's top talent and beauty and could afford to wait a few years, her daughter had no such advantage.
Fortunately, Wei Chan had an elder sister who was the Princess of Duan, and her cousin Wei Rao, despite her poor reputation, had married the heir of the Duke of Yingguo. By the end of August, Guo Shi managed to arrange a marriage for Wei Chan with a scion of a noble family who was about to be transferred to a prefectural post elsewhere. This timing provided the perfect excuse. In late October, under the pretext that Old Mrs. Wei wished to see her granddaughter married, Guo Shi held a lively wedding for Wei Chan.
"It's good that she's married. With both you girls settled, your grandmother can rest easy," Old Mrs. Wei said with relief.
As she fed her grandmother medicine, Wei Rao replied, "Elder Brother hasn't married yet. You still have worries ahead—how can you rest easy now?"
Old Mrs. Wei smiled. Her grandson was only twenty this year; even if delayed another three years, he could still marry a suitable lady.
"By the way, your cousin Huizhen's wedding is approaching, isn't it?"
Wei Rao nodded.
Han Liao, heir to the Marquis of Xiting, had proposed early this year, and the wedding was set for the eighth day of the eleventh month—just a few days away.Old Mrs. Wei then said, "Then you should hurry back and prepare. You're all close sisters, so be cheerful at the banquet and don't worry about my illness."
Wei Rao couldn't bring herself to smile.
At dusk, it began to snow. The moment Lu Zhuo stepped into Old Mrs. Wei's room, a stifling heat mixed with the strong scent of medicine assailed him. Wei Rao was keeping vigil by Old Mrs. Wei's bedside, softly recalling mischievous childhood antics that had once angered the old lady, as if she couldn't smell the medicinal odor at all.
"Shoucheng is here. Perfect timing—take Raorao back with you later," Old Mrs. Wei said with a smile.
Lu Zhuo hardly dared to look at Old Mrs. Wei; the vitality in the old lady was fading more and more.
After speaking gently with the old lady for a while, he took his leave together with Wei Rao.
Amid the heavy snowfall, Lu Zhuo helped Wei Rao into the carriage. When he entered, he saw her curled up in the corner, deliberately using her cloak's hood to cover her face.
Lu Zhuo understood her feelings—forcing smiles in front of Old Mrs. Wei while her heart must have been weeping all along.
"Today, the Emperor summoned me to the palace. While we were speaking, Cining Palace reported that the Empress Dowager had fainted," Lu Zhuo sat beside her and said in a low voice.
Wei Rao's lowered eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Under other circumstances, she might have been pleased, but now, Wei Rao only wished for her grandmother to be well.
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